Ellen M. Blalock / The Post-StandardRetired teacher Floyd Bailey, left, was sentenced to 10 years' probation for having a sexual relationship with a teenage boy. He stands in court with his attorney, Gaetano Colozzi.

Syracuse, NY - A retired Marcellus school teacher was placed on 10 years' probation today for engaging in an illegal sexual relationship with a teenage boy.

Bailey pleaded guilty May 25 to charges of second-degree criminal sexual act and third-degree sexual abuse. Assistant District Attorney Janet Fall said Bailey improperly touched the boy on one occasion in August 2008 and then engaged in an act of oral sexual contact with him several days later.

Floyd Bailey SentencingRetired teacher Floyd Bailey is sentenced by County Judge Joseph Fahey for sex with a teenage boy. Prosecutor is Assistant DA Janet Fall and the defense lawyer is Gaetano Colozzi.

But for a plea deal that spared the victim from having to come to court to testify openly about what happened, Bailey would be going to jail, Fahey said in court today.

The judge said Bailey's conduct was "pretty disgusting and pretty despicable" even if he did not have a teacher-student relationship with the victim.

The incidents came to light last year after the boy's mother found computer contacts of a non-sexual nature between Bailey and her son and the boy then revealed what had happened two years earlier at Bailey's home.

In court, Fall read a brief statement from the victim's parents in which they detailed the "emotional pain and devastation" caused by Bailey.

The victim had looked up to Bailey because of his reputation as a teacher but Bailey abused that trust and got the boy "entangled in an unhealthy sexual encounter," the parents said.

They said they did not think probation and registration as a convicted sexual offender was sufficient punishment. They indicated they believed jail time also was warranted.

"How in good conscience could you have done such a thing?" they asked Bailey at the conclusion of their statement.

Defense lawyer Gaetano Colozzi noted Bailey had no teacher-student relationship with the boy and was remorseful. The lawyer said it was unfortunate that Bailey's history would forever be classified by this incident and not his many good years of teaching and contribution to the community.

Bailey retired in 1995 as a teacher in the Marcellus school district but continued as a substitute teacher on a periodic basis. He has surrendered his teaching certificate as a result of the criminal prosecution.

Bailey also will be required to register as a convicted sexual offender. Fahey directed the lawyers and Bailey to return to court next week for a determination as to what level of sex offender that will be.